Gift Counselor (Cronin)

The Gift Counselor 
Sheila M. Cronin, 2014
336 pp.
ISBN-13: 9780996046008


Summary
Jonquil Bloom is a single mom and UCLA graduate student doing research about gift-giving. Needing to support herself, she is hired at a local department store and becomes the gift counselor. She believes all gifts come with strings attached, but can she prove it?

Claude Chappel is the general contractor on the new construction job opposite the building where Jonquil lives. He is ready to settle down. Meeting Jonquil and befriending her son Billy make up his mind. He doesn’t know that Jonquil’s caution is due to a sudden upsurge of painful memories. Can he win her heart?

Billy Bloom has his heart set on getting a dog that Christmas. Not just any dog, but a black cocker spaniel puppy who lives down the street. His mother, the gift counselor, won’t allow it because she’s allergic to dogs. Or is she?

Author Bio
• Birth—N/A
• Raised—Chicago, Illinois, USA
• Education—B.A., St. Mary's College; M.S., Hahnemann Medical Graduate School
• Currently—lives in Chicago

Sheila M. Cronin received a Master’s degree in mental health sciences from Hahnemann Medical Graduate School of Philadelphia. She practiced art therapy for ten years before relocating to Los Angeles to pursue creative writing. While on the west coast, she worked at Princess Cruises and had the privilege of being onboard escort to James A. Michener and his wife in Alaska.

Cronin's short romance, "Airport Love Story," appeared in the WritersNet Anthology of Prose: Fiction (Writers Club Press, 2002). In 2003, Sun-Maid Raisins hired her to compose "sayings" for the outside flaps of their lunch-size raisin boxes, which are published worldwide. She has also been published in Woman's World Magazine. (From the author.)

Visit the author's website.

Book Reviews
The Gift Counselor is a lovely surprise, like a thoughtful gift from a dear friend.
Windy City Reviews

Wonderful, feel-good story.
Franciscanmom.com

The characters are ones you will come to care for and root for.
Beacher Weekly Newspaper

Discussion Questions
1. In what ways does a gift counselor differ from a personal shopper?

2. How does Rita influence Jonquil? How does Jonquil influence Rita?

3. Identify 3 events in the story that lead to Jonquil’s realization that true gifts are free. Did your ideas about gifts change as you read the story?

4. How is Claude able to get Jonquil to trust him?

5. Margo Bloom is the key figure in Jonquil’s childhood.  Did you have a grandparent that influenced your life?

6. Billy Bloom has a generous nature. True or false. Give examples.

7. Mr.  Merrill enjoys testing out new toys. The light moments offset the darker themes in the story. What lighter moments stand out for you?

8. What do you imagine happened to Jonquil’s father, John Bloom that caused him to disappear?

9. Would you want to talk to a gift counselor?

10. Which character did you care about most and why?

(Questions courtesy of the author.)

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